Travel guide · United Arab Emirates
Dubai travel guide
Record-breaking towers, winter beaches, desert dunes and creekside souks
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Dubai grew from a pearling and trading port on Dubai Creek into a city of skyscrapers stretched along the Gulf coast. The old quarters of Al Fahidi and Deira keep wind-tower houses, gold and spice souks and wooden abras crossing the creek, while Downtown has the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, and Dubai Marina, JBR and the Palm Jumeirah line the beaches to the south-west. Winter brings warm, sunny days for beaches, desert safaris and outdoor dining; summer is extremely hot, and life moves indoors. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are November–March.
Key facts
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Best time to visit
- November–March
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- DXB, DWC, SHJ
- Mid-range daily budget
- $200–$380 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels, Shopping malls and Desert safaris
Why visit Dubai
- The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 metres, has observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors.
- Warm, sunny winters from November to March make it a reliable beach destination when much of the northern hemisphere is cold.
- Old Dubai's creek, abra boats and souks contrast with the towers of Downtown and the Marina.
- Desert safaris, dune drives and camel rides start less than an hour from the city.
- Dubai International is a major long-haul hub, making the city an easy stopover between Europe, Asia and Africa.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Viewpoint · Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa – At the Top
At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest building since 2010.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Architecture
- After dark
Landmark · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Fountain
The choreographed fountain on the Burj Khalifa Lake shoots jets of water up to about 140 metres high to music, with shows every half hour through the evening and a couple at lunchtime.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Kids
- Couples
Experience · Dubai Creek
Abra ride across Dubai Creek
Wooden abra water taxis have carried passengers across Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira for generations.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Museum · Sheikh Zayed Road
Museum of the Future
Opened in 2022, the torus-shaped building wrapped in Arabic calligraphy is one of the city's most photographed.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Landmark · Umm Suqeim
Burj Al Arab
Shaped like a billowing sail on its own island, the Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai's best-known landmarks.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Experience · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Mall
One of the largest malls in the world, with more than 1,200 shops, the Dubai Mall also holds the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Olympic-size ice rink and a dinosaur skeleton in its souk-style atrium.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Free
- Food
Where to stay
Downtown Dubai is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 9 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, luxury and families
Downtown Dubai
The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain shows
$$$ · Best for budget, first-timers and solo travellers
Business Bay
Canal-side towers next to Downtown at lower prices
$$$$ · Best for nightlife, couples and beach
Dubai Marina
Waterfront towers, Marina Walk and yacht-lined promenades
$$$$ · Best for families, beach and first-timers
JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
Beachfront promenade, family hotels and The Walk
What to eat
- Shawarma — Spiced chicken or lamb carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in thin flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries — the city's favourite quick meal.
- Machboos — The Emirati national dish: rice slow-cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, dried limes (loomi) and a warm spice blend called bezar.
- Harees — Wheat and meat slow-cooked and beaten into a smooth porridge, seasoned simply with salt and ghee — a dish for Ramadan and celebrations.
- Luqaimat — Crisp, golden dumplings flavoured with saffron and cardamom, drizzled with date syrup (dibs) and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
- Balaleet — Sweet vermicelli scented with saffron, cardamom and rose water, topped with a thin omelette — a traditional Emirati breakfast.
- Chebab — Emirati pancakes spiced with cardamom and saffron, served with date syrup and soft cheese.
When to go
The best time to visit Dubai is November to March, when days are warm and sunny, the sea is pleasant and evenings suit outdoor dining and desert trips. December and January are the busiest and most expensive months. June to September brings extreme heat above 40°C with high humidity, though hotel prices drop sharply.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Pleasant in March, hot by May; the sea warms up, crowds thin after Easter and hotel prices begin to fall. |
| Summer | June–August | Extreme heat and humidity above 40°C, when sightseeing moves indoors to malls, museums and hotel pools, and summer hotel deals are common. |
| Autumn | September–November | Very hot in September, easing through October as Global Village and outdoor venues reopen; November is one of the best months. |
| Winter | December–February | Warm days around 24–26°C and cool evenings, the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year fireworks, with the highest prices of the year. |
Getting there and around
Dubai International (DXB) Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line Metro stations about 20–30 minutes from Downtown, and taxis take about 15–25 minutes outside rush hour. Al Maktoum International (DWC) is about 45–60 minutes' drive south-west of Downtown and handles far fewer passenger flights. Sharjah airport (SHJ), used by low-cost airlines, is 30–60 minutes away depending on traffic.
Dubai is spread out along the coast, so most visitors combine the driverless Metro with taxis and ride-hailing. The Red Line runs from the airport through Deira, Bur Dubai and Downtown to the Marina and beyond, while the Dubai Tram serves the Marina and JBR. Walking between sights is limited by distances and, in summer, the heat.
Plan your days
Three days covers Downtown and the Burj Khalifa, old Dubai's creek and souks, a beach afternoon and a desert safari. Five days adds the Marina and Palm, museums and more beach time; with a week, add Abu Dhabi or the mountains at Hatta.
Practical information
- Currency
- AED
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Plugs
- Type G sockets (three rectangular pins), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated to safety standards, but most residents and visitors drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for fire
- Tipping
- Many restaurants include a service charge.
Dubai has low levels of street crime. The main risks are heat, sun and dehydration, fast traffic and strong currents at open beaches, so swim where lifeguards are on duty. Laws on drugs, including some prescription medicines, alcohol, public behaviour and photography are strict; check them before you travel.
Flights to Dubai
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Dubai?
Three days covers Downtown and the Burj Khalifa, old Dubai's creek and souks, a beach afternoon and a desert safari. Five days adds the Marina and Palm, museums and more beach time; with a week, add Abu Dhabi or the mountains at Hatta. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Dubai?
The best time to visit Dubai is November to March, when days are warm and sunny, the sea is pleasant and evenings suit outdoor dining and desert trips. December and January are the busiest and most expensive months. June to September brings extreme heat above 40°C with high humidity, though hotel prices drop sharply.
+What is Dubai known for?
Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels, Shopping malls, Desert safaris, Beaches, Gold Souk, Palm Jumeirah and Winter sunshine. The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 metres, has observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors.
+Is Dubai expensive?
Dubai is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $200–$380 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Dubai?
Not usually. Taxis, ride-hailing and the Metro cover most visits. A rental car helps for Hatta, Al Ain or Ras Al Khaimah; driving is on the right, roads use automatic Salik tolls and speed cameras are common.